Vandal Tears Up Bible, Desecrates Communion Bread & Steals $10,000 During Vicious TX Church Attack
- Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:23am by
Billy Hallowell
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The Rev. Pedro Portillo of Iglesia Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Irving, Texas
A crook has wreaked major havoc on a church in Irving, Texas, after he viciously vandalized its sanctuary and stole thousands of dollars. The startling attack on Iglesia Santa Maria de Guadalupe, a Lutheran church, left windows broken and a church community shaken up last weekend.
The Rev. Pedro Portillo, the faith leader at the church, described the disturbing anti-religious elements of the crime, saying “The guy who [got] into the church, he did a lot of disgraceful things.”
Among the most noteworthy damages, the vandal ripped up a Bible, broke an angel on the church’s altar and threw communion bread on the floor.
The criminal stole a total of $10,000 from the church’s safe and donation box. Considering the house of worship’s need to pay rent and bills — not to mention any charitable work that the money would have helped conduct — this is a staggering loss.
But, for Portillo, it’s not about the money.
“For us, in our faith, this is Jesus,” Portillo said, as he held communion bread. ”If he came to get the money, he could get the money. Money, we can make it…But what they did to the altar, to our faith — that more hurt for the people.”
Surveillance video of the crime shows the man walking around the church with a flashlight. It is this video that Portillo hopes will help bring the individual behind the destruction and thievery to justice.
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Comments (96)
BelindaB
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:50amGod Bless America!!!
Report Post »Macman1138
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 10:12amIf caught, the vandal should be turned into a Texas wind chime near the church.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 10:55amMaybe the church should consider actually locking their safe next time. Just sayin’.
Report Post »Beckisdelusional
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 11:13amNobody at that Church probably even speaks English. Shouldn’t you Beckheads be screaming for their deportation instead?
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 12:35pmEvil does not take a day off.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 2:40pmNo Beckis – But I certainly will call for your deportation to the Fema Camps.
Yes the pastor did not speak English very well, but that is not the issue here. The issue is some low-life, probably a relative or yours, broke into the church and damaged sacred items as well as stole money. Yes, the church should not have stored that much money on the grounds and this was his fault.
May the swift hand of justice slap this man down.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 6:00pmI hope they catch this moron and prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 10:00pmMany Catholic Priests are starting to carry hand guns. My church in NJ was also attacked this way but that was 10 years ago. Atheist fiends will begin killing Priests to prevent Catholics from having their sins forgiven. Lutherans are similar to Catholics and there could be a little mix up. Parishioners will have to start patrolling their churches nightly.
Report Post »BelindaB
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:45amGet obama out of office, Bring God back to our schools, And get the muslims OUT of America!! AND…SECURE OUR BORDERS (That should of been done on 9/11 !!)
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:51amIt’s 1 of the loveing Athiest ppl silly.
Report Post »schroeder123
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 10:36amAmen
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 10:07pmSorry, its not going to happen. Even if Obama is not re-elected nothing will change. The GOP had the White House, the House and the Senate for six years and they didn’t do anything. Bush did not reverse one thing that Clinton did. Do you really want to live in the America, America has become?
Report Post »LouC57
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:43amThis ignoramus needs our prayers…I think that’s the message we should be paying attention to…“pray for your enemies”.
Of course our natural inclination is to see this twerp behind bars, humiliated, cut off from society…but you know what? Prayer might be what this thief/vandal/creep needs. God can work miracles in his life, which in turn might create miracles FOR the church at large.
It’s ok, you can call me crazy.
Report Post »dr121273
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:55amYou are far from crazy, I agree!
Report Post »LouC57
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 9:36amYa know, occasionally I think “the cops/whatever should just take out gang members on the spot”…then i hear–usually the next news cycle–about some former really bad guy gang member who’s removed himself from the gang, and is out educating kids how to avoid gangs, or similar stories.
I reckon revenge IS the Lords…not ours.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 9:37ampray for him while you are tracking him down and putting him in jail.
Report Post »chershaw8
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:32amHe probably scoped out the church as someone who needed help, then found where everything was, then stole it.
Report Post »kfrederic
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:31amOne of two things needs to be true. His picture is clear so either he’s already been turned in or once he is caught everyone this bucket of sewage ever knew should go to jail as an accessory.
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:24amHatred is forcing churches to keep their doors locked as our President seems to be on the attack against religion and the hoodlums who adore the Robot seem to feel they are entitled to vandalize churches and places of worship! God will take care of them and knows who they are! My church has a hugh alarm system connected to the police and fire stations—foresight said we had to protect the building and is proving to be a wise decision!
Report Post »DesertRose1960
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:44amMy parish church was vandalized under Ronald Reagan’s Presidency, you know the guy who proclaimed the Year of the Bible but was too busy to actually go to church most Sundays. There was a distinct rise in the vandalism of religious places under Reagan. Many of the targets were synagogues and Black churches. My church was attacked by an anti-Catholic, they left anti-Catholic literature in the vestabule
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:55amDesert,
Report Post »Yeb bash the Catholics,
Are you annabaptist?
likelhy
PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:58amDesertrose
Report Post »Sorry, I briefly scanned your post and failed to read the wording correctly.
My apologies
SquidVetOhio
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 9:36amI’m an anna-baptist. We don’t vandalize catholic churches. How christian of you to accuse us. I might point out that it was the catholics that burnt us at the stakes.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 2:52pmDesertThorn, please give us a date and time when your church was vandalized so we can prove or disprove your accusations.
Generally, when a black church gets fire bombed or vandalized, it is “white supremacy groups”, you know Democrat Progressive Liberals left over from the KKK or Nazi’s.
Before you make accusations, you might want to be prepared to provide proof. All the Christians I know would not do something like this, as we respect any house of worship regardless of denomination or the color of the congregation. Only those who hate God or blacks will do damage. OWS and atheist comes to mind.
Report Post »Kisses6350
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 3:01pm@ Sheris………You had to include the President? Seriously?
Report Post »POdVet
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:18amThey should probably start their investigation at the local mosque.
Report Post »caleejr
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:16amthe ba’al of secular fundamentalism….
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:11am.
Report Post »They don’t even run when you turn the lights on anymore………..
budzy1911
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:07amSadly this is only going to intensify as anti-christian forces grow. The Church is under assult from the government, athiest, and muslims who see the Obama administration’s hatred towards christians as a chance to attack the faith.
History has shown that this won’t turn out well.
Report Post »Kopfjager
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:04amThis is a hate crime against Christians, where are the feds?
Report Post »mycomet123
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 9:38amTheir too busy making sure no one violates the rights of those who aren’t Christian or Jewish!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Report Post »jado1981
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 9:53amYou have it wrong, it’s only a hate crime if its any group besides whites, males, or christians… it can be gays, blacks, mexicans, puerto ricans, chinese, muslims, or women. I’m just oh so glad there are mbe, wbe, nctrca, and other groups to help punish whitey for getting ahead.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:52amHe looks Mexican. Does that narrow it down for you Texas police?
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:14amYes it does Gonzo…To about 5.7 million. Thanks!
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:52amIs it not a blessing that the main message of Christ is forgiveness and love,? Consider the Islamists who would have issued a fatwa calling for the death of the perp and use CAIR to blow smoke up the Obama administration’s butt and blabbing their case of retribution on NBC ABC and all main stream media outlets. Watch GB TV wednesday 2/1
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 9:23amCrime against the Church and God…
Is this any worse than selling one’s soul?
What if, through the lure of keeping a friendship…
especially with someone who is wealthy, billionaire wealthy…like Huntsman Sr,
one says and does things just for that favor of friendship.
Is that any less of a transgression than the actions of a thief?
What if, to “stay on the good side” of that billionaire,
one makes biased, nasty remarks….
uncontested for weeks against one person….like Gingrich,
Is that individual also stealing and vandalizing?
Or is it OK because one’s friend is doing the same thing…
Report Post »by giving 1.9 Million to Romney’s SuperPac….?
nurseheidi
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 11:06amAmericat….really???? Apparently, you fail to understand that many of the civilized people of the world have the ability to remain civil and befriend individuals even if we have differing opinions on certain issues. You really think that is a morally equivalent argument? Amazing logic they are teaching in those public schools today.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:52amPray on, AMERICA. Pray for now this minute, this morning, this noontime, this afternoon, this evening, this night, early tomorrow. Pray ahead. Pray protection. Pray Psalm 91. If you see someone doing something “they shouldn’t be doing”, do something about it. Whatever you do, don’t call doj as the perpetrators probably work for them.
I’m sending prayers, blessings and money to the church. Let’s overwhelm them with random acts of kindness.
GOD BLESS, BLAZERS.
Report Post »APROUDVETERAN
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:41amMy mom used to say “God pays back without money”. This guy will get his….
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:47amWhy doesn’t the paper report it like it is only Godless people would vandalize a church and rob it. there for atheist vandalized the church
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:53amI agree, I just wonder which one of Obama’s czars or cronies is behind the growing vandalism on the churches who oppose his agenda.
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:40amWhere have all the Martin Luther King, Jr. folk gone to? Has anyone seen
Report Post »hide or hair of just one of them lately? Inquiring minds really want to know.
momrules
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:37amThe money was secondary to this person. His main mission was to insult God and the Christians of that church.
I bet he went home happy and thinking what a big man he is.
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:36amSatan is alive and well on planet Earth!
Report Post »The Silversmith
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:36amAnd yet God loves him as much as any of us. Really hard to fathom.
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 9:08amRomans 12:19 NAS Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. …Ps94:1
Report Post »20.”But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head”. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Baddoggy
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:34amIrving is becoming a cesspool. I will not travel through Irving anymore. Illegals everywhere, catered to by Hispanic businesses. It has gone downhill quickly. Part of the magnet that needs to be turned off. There are parts of Irving that look like Mexico City. Just sayin’
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:33amPlease do not form an opinion about thisstory until the NAACP, slc and ACLU have filed their briefs.
Report Post »Gee, the guy looks tio be hyphenated. DOJ????
smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:31amVandals = atheist.
Report Post »Why doesn’t the paper report it like it is only Godless people would vandalize a church and rob it.
AJAYW
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:29amA public hanging of people like this would help put a end to it.
Report Post »expatinontariocanada
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:29amBa’al.
Report Post »democritusoilder267
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 7:26amStupid thieves.
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